Written by John Edward Betancourt Something quite unique is happening at this particular phase in the evolution of The Walking Dead Universe. In that, this rich and magnificent universe is growing and connecting in ways we never quite expected it to. For not only is the Universe expanding through and through with spin-offs… but we have been getting samples and tidbits of spin-offs to come as the weeks roll along for the various seasons of Fear of the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: Dead City. For there have been sneak peeks, little reveals, and other tidbits when it comes to Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. A highly anticipated series starring Norman Reedus where he reprises the role, he is most known for and this… is something quite amazing. Because we’ve never the TWD Universe build up to new shows in this manner and work to keep them so closely connected, and well… this appears to be the norm going forward. For earlier today, AMC Networks once again added to the hype for this series by announcing another tidbit for the show, the release date for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and since that is never enough for the fans, this news was accompanied by a flurry of new photos to thrill us as well, and it is mission accomplished when it comes to that. For now, we can clear our schedules and now we can buzz about those images and since you’re eager to know when to expect the return of Mister Dixon and to see those images, here they are, with updated details on the show, courtesy of AMC Networks. ‘AMC Networks announced today, on Bastille Day, that The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will premiere Sunday, September 10 at 9pm ET/PT on AMC and AMC+. New images of the highly anticipated next series in the Walking Dead Universe, which stars fan-favorite Norman Reedus and shoots in and around Paris, France, were also released. In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Daryl (Reedus) washes ashore in France and struggles to piece together how he got there and why. The series tracks his journey across a broken but resilient France as he hopes to find a way back home. As he makes the journey, though, the connections he forms along the way complicate his ultimate plan. In addition to Reedus, the series stars Clémence Poésy, Adam Nagaitis, Anne Charrier, Eriq Ebouaney, Laika Blanc Francard, Romain Levi and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi and is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner David Zabel, Reedus, Greg Nicotero, Angela Kang, Brian Bockrath and Daniel Percival. About AMC Networks Inc. AMC Networks (Nasdaq: AMCX) is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its brands include targeted streaming services AMC+, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now, ALLBLK, and the newest addition to its targeted streaming portfolio, the anime-focused HIDIVE streaming service, in addition to AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv and IFC Films. AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind some of the biggest titles and brands known to a global audience, including The Walking Dead, the Anne Rice catalog and the Agatha Christie library. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and 25/7 Media, its production services business.’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt
We have definitely experienced some incredible moments in television history over the past decade or so. After all, we’ve seen reality television evolve into more than just baseline entertainment, but something functional for audiences. Plus, we’ve seen horror go mainstream like never before in that same timeframe and we were even privy to the day when b-movies went mainstream and were beloved and embraced by audiences, courtesy of one incredible release from The Asylum and SYFY… Sharknado.
For this movie about… a sharknado… took the world by storm (pun intended) and it quite literally showed everyone the majesty of the b-movie and the fun they bring to the table, and we loved the first movie so much, we received a new one for six years straight. And we all gathered around the television to see how Fin Shepard and April Wexler would save the world from another toothy storm and of course, we had to know who was going to cameo in these stories and well… with the ten-year anniversary of the release of the original film upon us, SYFY is celebrating it in style. Courtesy of an all-day movie marathon of the Sharknado series on Tuesday July 18th, and well… here are all the details on this wondrous event. So, you can clear your schedule for the storm to come. 'SYFY SETS "SHARKNADO" FEEDING FRENZY WITH 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MOVIE MARATHON Cult Summer Movies Starring Ian Ziering and Tara Reid Run All Day Tuesday, July 18th · SYFY presents an all-day “Sharknado” movie marathon in celebration of the cult-classic's 10th anniversary. Revisit fin-tastic stars Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, along with guest stars Vivica A. Fox, Marc McGrath, Olivia Newton-John, and more. · SYFY's "Sharknado" movie marathon schedule on Tuesday, July 18 (Check local listings): · 12 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO: THE 4TH AWAKENS · 2 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO! · 4 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE · 6 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO · 8 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO 2: THE SECOND ONE (Repeat) · 10 p.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO 3: OH HELL NO! (Repeat) · 12 a.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO: THE 4TH AWAKENS (Repeat) · 2 a.m. ET/PT, SHARKNADO 5: GLOBAL SWARMING · 4 a.m. ET/PT, THE LAST SHARKNADO: IT'S ABOUT TIME · Ten years ago, a global phenomenon swept the country with the birth of the greatest franchise about sharks and tornadoes that ever existed. Starring Ian Ziering and Tara Reid, Sharknado follows a group of friends who try to save the world from theses deadly storms chomping through the skies. · For additional movie highlights and BTS content, visit SYFY.com and follow @SYFY on Twitter and Instagram to join the conversation.' Written by Scott Edwards
Taking over an old family business is difficult on so many levels, I don’t understand how people are able to do it. While most of the time the business is handed down, sometimes it is sold off to the highest bidder and taken in a new direction. When this happens, usually the old clientele decides to move on as well, seeing that the legacy that was there for so long is no longer housed inside, but you can never be too sure about that, as these places tend to have plenty of history, along with ghosts hidden inside the walls. Just remember if you are going to take over a place that has generations behind it, you may find that you will get something extra that was not included in the asking price.
Meeting with Gretchen and her aunt Rose, Dan and Jessica are thinking about making a move that will change their lives in buying an old Bed and Breakfast. Knowing that this has always been Jessica’s dream, Dan will do everything within his power to make her dream come true. Pulling the trigger on buying the March Carriage Bed and Breakfast, the happy couple is ready to take yet another step in their relationship in running the Inn. But there might be something hiding in the shadows that they missed when checking out the property as strange things start to surround Jessica. After spending the afternoon unpacking, the couple retreats to the bedroom for the night, but are awakened by old Rose who is whispering something about children to them. Calling Gretchen out to pick up her aunt, the couple thinks it is strange, but nothing to fret about. Going back to work on the basics around the house, Dan gets a call from work making him leave the house for a couple days. Working around the 350-year-old house on her own, Jessica’s fascination about the house and its story gives her the drive to peer around the dark corners. Finding an opening behind an old cabinet in the basement, Jessica stumbles upon a hidden room in the house and the spirit that resides within. Returning home to find his wife in some sort of daze, Dan is taking note that she is starting to vanish in the middle of the night and does not know where she is going. Trying to find out what her deal is, Dan’s curiosity also gets the better of him and he finds out that there is a surveillance system in the house for some reason. Checking out the cameras, he also stumbles upon what appears to be ghostly pictures that have been hidden away for years. Getting out of the house for the afternoon and visiting old Rose in her new home, along with a Witch Museum and seeing some familiar objects, Dan is forced to fear for the worst as his wife may be the next victim of the home’s previous owner. Well, this movie really is a slow burn for someone that likes to get right into the action. While I loved the back story on the house itself, I wish there were some flashes to the Witch that owned the home and presented torment to the community three hundred years ago. The starting interaction between Dan and Jessica were great, as you could see that they were very much in love, then the turn of a witch possession changed everything, and I think that it kind of missed that mark a little bit. The questions that were not asked were more of a problem for me in the long run, but most of the questions that were asked were answered, so that is good. With an old house, butterfly looking ghosts, an old VHS surveillance system, ghost kids, secret rooms, a cursed room and the story about a witch, this movie is not too bad overall. Starting to really like Witch stories over the years and this is just another look at the power that they have embodied since the Salem Witch Trials of old. Stay Scared. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
One thing that fans of the AMC series, The Walking Dead: Dead City, can agree upon, is that the series is nothing short of a masterclass character study, and a stark reminder of the wonder of world-building. For week in and week out, this series has done a wonderful job of painting a grand picture of what the world of the dead looks like post TWD, and of course… how people are surviving in Manhattan despite it being filled to the brim with millions of corpses. And of course… we’ve come to learn a lot about the characters and from the characters. Since each episode has taken the time to properly reflect upon how the events of the flagship series, and the apocalypse as a whole… have impacted Maggie Rhee and Negan Smith, and how the darkness of this world has put them through some serious struggles and setbacks… despite their quest to be better people. But while it has been a true delight to be treated to stories in that vein on a weekly basis, it was of course… only a matter of time before the action and adventure this franchise is known for as well, took the center stage and put the more intimate stuff on the backburner. If only for a little while. For Maggie and Negan’s mission has always been to take on the Croat and reclaim Hershel from his clutches so he can live the life his father was denied, and it turned out that this week’s episode was the right time to kick things into overdrive. For ‘Everybody Wins a Prize’ saw our flawed heroes make their final preparations to assault Madison Square Garden with their new friends. Of course, they were one person lighter because of Negan’s difficult choice last week... but that didn’t stop quite the intricate plan from being put into motion. For as planned, they were able to get into the lower levels of the Garden, or more specifically… the box office area. Wherein they came to learn that Hershel wasn’t being held in such a low security area, as expected. Which meant, that phase two was in play. Wherein Negan would lure the Croat out into the open and new friends would handle ugly business and get Hershel back in hand, and with vehicles at their disposal, escape would be easy in nature. And early on, it seemed the plan was absolutely going to work. After all, that familiar whistle that sends chills down the spines of every fan of this series, echoed through the Garden and garnered the attention of the Croat, who followed it closely and truly… it seemed as though it would not be long before Negan isolated his grand failure of a protégé and put an end to him as he intended to… so long ago. But alas… there was quite the problem brewing with this particular plan. In that, the Croat knew that eventually Maggie would come for him. For he had done his research on his opponents and well… retribution was something he would take part in, in a similar situation. So… while the plan was assembled and put into motion, the Croat was preparing his counter offensive. One that involved setting up explosives at every entrance, alongside preparing a music and lights show for the center of the arena to bring curious dead creatures toward it. All because he knew that his foes would try and harm him there and that he would need to use the dead to save his hide and the lives of his people and use them he did. Since they entered the arena once the doors blew and quickly corralled the majority of our heroes in the center of the Garden. Not to mention, the escape plan went to hell as well, since Maggie was forced to abandon her ride to get to Ginny. Who followed the group here and finally made her presence known, and Maggie had to save her.
Which led… to a harrowing sequence of events. Wherein heroes fell to the living dead one by one and where Maggie had no choice… but to fight and evade and do everything necessary to keep clear of the dead. Thankfully… she was granted that, since Ginny’s quick thinking provided much needed safety from the dead. But alas, with the arena infested with thousands of walkers, the only way she and her friends were going to survive long term… was to head into the underbelly of Manhattan through its sewer system. To escape the herd above, so they could make their way home, and that will be no easy task. Since the sewers were mentioned as a big reason that the plague of living death spread quickly through the city, and that sets the stage for quite the harrowing next chapter in this tale. One that was wonderfully set up by that trademark action and adventure, and thrill, that only this saga knows how to provide.
However, what made this story as impressive as the rest of this season, is that series creator and episode writer, Eli Jorné, still found a way to add that character magic to this particular tale, through Negan no less. Because… this was a mission that terrified him to his core. Because despite his progress and his comfort with living in the grey… he hasn’t dealt with all of the pain from his past. Specifically, his life as the head of the Saviors. Because he did indeed commit a bevy of atrocities back then, and squaring off against the Croat reminded him of his dark transgressions when he was that particular iteration of Negan. To the point where he pondered upon the Croat’s final days at the Sanctuary (complete with an awesome Steven Ogg cameo as Simon), and the trouble he caused and the tough position he put Negan in. Simply because Negan was curious if by chance… there was a better way to handle all of this. In fact, he even tried one. Because eventually… he and the Croat were face to face once again. And that gave Negan the opportunity to show the Croat who was the real monster here. Which led to a very fascinating showdown. One that let the A1 Wannabe King of New York, run his mouth, and confuse himself, and outright struggle to justify everything he had done while Negan just watched on, in silence no less, to prove that hard point and to really demonstrate how far the Croat had fallen. Not to mention, when given the chance to do the right thing and offer up a better way, Negan took it. By saving Armstrong from a fate worse than death. All of which spoke to the growth of this character and how he is trying to deal with everything as best he can, even though it scares the living hell out of him. As to whether or not there will be a payoff for that, time will tell. Since crisis still surrounds Negan thanks to how Armstrong thanked Negan for salvation, and well, the Croat didn’t seem too moved by the nobility that Negan displayed. Which will undoubtedly give rise to more chaos next week. But while we wait to immerse ourselves in that, we can reflect upon another amazing chapter in this tale. One that really did offer up the stuff we love, and it also did a fine job of making the walking dead, as scary as ever. Since their slow and relentless attack served as a fine reminder of their lethality and their danger and it definitely brought forth some tense moments that left us worried since we are in new territory for the franchise, and well, the Negan stuff was just amazing. And his actions here do leave us wondering… if redemption is on the horizon for Negan… once the dust has settled from this ugly battle with the Croat. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
There is a grand shift happening within The Walking Dead Universe. In that, this storied franchise is making every effort to inject genuine realism into its storytelling by having its many characters deal with the power of the past and the traumas they’ve faced, and, it is also working hard to flesh those characters out even further and really dive deep into what is driving them forward at this point in their lives and that is making… for some fascinating storytelling. The kind that is allowing for characters that have suffered for years to find peace and move forward in a positive light, as evidenced by the midseason finale of Fear the Walking Dead, and it is also breathing new life into classic characters, as evidenced by The Walking Dead: Dead City. For this particular story really is delving deep into the functional makeup of Maggie Rhee and Negan Smith, and the grey area they both live within, what’s kept them there and what the traumas they faced in their travels together have done to them. Which is creating new angles for this story to explore. The kind that really are making these characters shine in a new light and it just so happens… that the universe is now looking to do this with as many characters as possible. For last night’s episode of Dead City, not only explored further the dynamic between Maggie and Negan and the various ghosts they carry with them… but we came to learn so much about the other characters that they’ve left behind or that they share the island with and that made ‘People Are a Resource’, quite the character study. Since we came to learn that young Ginny… is deeply broken by her trauma. Something we’ve been able to infer thanks to Negan’s explanation of what happened to her… but the extent of that trauma and what she needs at this point in her life, really wasn’t put on display until this episode. Wherein we came to learn that her time with Negan has in fact, been quite healthy for her. Because he genuinely cares for her, and he genuinely wants to see her heal. Which we learned has provided her with hope and the belief that she can come back, and she is so fixated on the way he challenges her to be more and be better, that she risked everything in this story to come to the island and slowly figure out where he may be. And it was fascinating to see someone be influenced by Negan in a positive manner and that is clearly… how he is trying to heal. Because while he wasn’t aware of Ginny’s presence on the island in this tale, he was continuing to try to do the right thing and bring people together instead of dividing them and he even… tried to help someone he hurt deeply. For Maggie was in a dark place in this tale, and genuinely worried about Hershel and those worries exposed how deeply damaged she still is over losing basically all of her family but her son to the apocalypse and others, including Negan. And that allowed for us to learn how far she has to go in healing and how she is indeed trying to, but it is no easy task in this universe, not when guys like the Croat are doing what they do. But all we can do is try and all we can do is accept that support when it comes, and it was wild to see Negan of all people be the one to offer it and to even see him open up about his own fresh traumas in the days following the Battle of the Commonwealth.
Since he spoke to how times were tough following those salad days since Annie endured great hardship. To the point where it was obvious to Negan that she and his son needed a fresh start in the world. So, he put them on a wagon train bound for Missouri and stayed behind. To further bear the burdens of pain that he believes he deserves since he is still struggling to make peace with his own actions. Which added real depth to Negan here, and a gentleness and humanity we’ve not seen from him since his origin episode really. And it was just fascinating to see him express pain and express real kindness. But of course, there was mention of the fact that this franchise just so happens to be exploring such matters for as many characters as an hour of television will allow, and that brings us to a pair of other characters that received this fascinating treatment.
For Armstrong found himself in a tough place in this story. Specifically, the Croat’s Arena of Terror. Wherein gladiator battles were being held a la Land of the Dead to amuse and control and that allowed for us… to learn how this world has formed Armstrong into a tough man and how he uses his pain to push forward every chance he gets. Since he survived what the Croat threw at him, and oddly enough… we even learned exactly what broke the villain of the story. For he shared a harrowing and sorrowful tale about how cannibalism brought down his entire family and well, it was obvious hearing that story, that such cruelty broke him completely and made him think little about anyone or anything but himself or his ideas… making him the perfect villain really and perhaps a cautionary tale of what Negan could have become if there hadn’t been the pushback that came forth from Maggie, and Rick and the Alliance that formed against The Saviors. However, while it was supremely fascinating to learn so much about everyone and gauge where they are at and garner an idea of what they want… a fight was still brewing in this story. After all, the plan was put together as to how to invade Madison Square Garden to bring Hershel home, and sympathy or no… the Croat is still a monster and darkness still happened to permeate this tale. Since Armstrong damn near lost his life trying to please the masses at the Garden and Negan, despite his best efforts to broker peace and move on from his past… he was still forced to be Negan again to save his hide and save the mission and that will have consequences for certain. The kind that could not come at a worse time since that could put a wrench in the whole rescue operation, and it will indeed be interesting to see what comes out of that decision and out of the revelation that the Croat learned. In that, his mentor is on the island. But while we wait for all of that to move forward, we can celebrate one fine character study. One that really did add new depth to iconic characters and that’s no easy task. Since we’ve already spent a long time with Maggie and Negan. But the only way a story gets better is if its characters grow and change and these moments helped to do just that and further added to the wonder of two characters we love, and it was equally as lovely to learn more about what makes the others tick and see more of Manhattan and all of its madness and well, all of this was just a fine reminder as to why we love this franchise so. Because it has at its core, always been about people and the human experience and the ups and down we face during dark times and truly… when the saga focuses on that… its wondrous. And it will be interesting to see how everything we learned here will impact the story going forward as Maggie prepares to make a hard push to save her son. Until next time. |
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